Even though it’s not downtown, or downtown-adjacent, Edgewater is shaping up to be one of Chicago’s hottest neighborhoods. New shops and infrastructure are going in, and it’s even made a recent appearance on HGTV’s House Hunters program. But as the new comes in, the old goes out, and that means the Woodruff Arcade Building (6361 North Broadway) is getting the...

The Chicago Transit Authority plans to start work next year rebuilding a mile of Red and Purple Line tracks on the north side between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr. It’s the first phase of the agency’s “Red Ahead” rebuilding program on the north side. Doing so will bring more space to the platforms, better access for the handicapped, and increased opportunities for...

Even though it’s not downtown, or downtown-adjacent, Edgewater is shaping up to be one of Chicago’s hottest neighborhoods. New shops and infrastructure are going in, and it’s even made a recent appearance on HGTV’s House Hunters program. But as the new comes in, the old goes out, and that means the Woodruff Arcade Building (6361 North Broadway) is getting the old heave-ho. The Woodruff Arcade is historic, but...

The Chicago Transit Authority plans to start work next year rebuilding a mile of Red and Purple Line tracks on the north side between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr. It’s the first phase of the agency’s “Red Ahead” rebuilding program on the north side. Doing so will bring more space to the platforms, better access for the handicapped, and increased opportunities for local real estate development. When the project is...

What is believed to be the oldest wooden church still standing in Edgewater isn’t expected to be standing much longer. Summerdale Community Church is giving its sanctuary at 1700 West Farragut Avenue to the Night Ministry. If you’re not familiar with the Night Ministry, it’s one of the less visible backbones of the city, helping hold society together at its tattered edges. More specifically, you know how high-minded...

In the city of Chicago there are about 1.19 million homes. That includes apartments, condos, S.R.O’s, two-flats and more. Of those 1.19 million, 302,000 are single-family detached homes. Of those 302,000 just two have something none of the other homes have — Their own private piece of the Lake Michigan shoreline. The idea of looking into this came from Northwestern’s Dr. Robert Vogelzang, who was knocking a few balls...

The portion of Edgewater on the east side of the L tracks is know for its historic buildings. From the early 20th century to the beginning of the mid-1920s, hotels and apartment buildings went up between Foster Avenue and Sheridan Road. It was a fashionable neighborhood that was close to the bustling Uptown, the elevated Northwest Line tracks and Lake Michigan. In contrast to the more utilitarian apartment buildings that would come in...

The recent Open House Chicago event provided thousands of people, including me, the opportunity to step inside incredible spaces and step back in time. The two Sheridan Road Mansions I visited, the Downey and Gunder houses, provided a view of life a century ago. Along with their sprawling lots and surviving coach houses, it was a happy reminder of preservation gone right. Today, both mansions are Chicago Landmarks owned by the Chicago...

Every new apartment development seems to focus on amenities like a media room, rooftop deck, outdoor grilling, dog run and tech center. The only thing they can’t offer is history. There is one remarkable old north side building that does: the Edgewater Beach Apartments. The 300-unit co-op apartment building at 5555 North Sheridan Road is on the National Register of Historic Places. It opened in 1928 and hardly looks like it’s...

Here’s what else is going up around Chicago: DNAInfo reports that the developer who wants to put up a $220 million project in Uptown is ready to compromise on affordable housing. DNAInfo also has pictures of the proposed new Metra station in Edgewater. Early this week, the TV stations all ran stories that a new hotel was coming to McCormick Place. There have been lots of hotel proposals for McCormick Place lately, but because...

Back in July I wrote a piece titled Chicago’s Best Worst Block. It was about the little stretch of urban decay known as the 400 block of South Clark Street. People liked it. A lot. Enough that as of this writing it’s the third-most-popular article on this blog in the last two years. It also got me invited onto The Afternoon Shift on Chicago Public Radio to talk about the city’s evocative urban spaces. Places in...

Crain’s Chicago Business reports that the Chicago Lodge has been bought. The motel on Foster Avenue near the lakefront is considered an eyesore by some. The buyer is none other than the Dominick’s grocery store next door. So, does this mean redevelopment? Perhaps more retail opportunities? Crain’s thinks the motel is going to be replaced by a new upscale Dominick’s. Considering the way the economy is these...